1 . According to a study done by University of Michigan researchers, shopping to relieve stress was up to 40 times more effective at giving people a sense of control and shoppers were three times less sad compared to those that only looked around for items.

More than half of the 1,000 respondents said they have impulsively shopped to deal with feelings of stress, anxiety or depression.    1     In fact, shopping to reduce stress can actually help you live a healthier life by making sure that your blood pressure is lowered. Shopping to relieve stress is also called retail therapy as a form of regulating stress.    2     For many, what starts out as a relatively harmless mood booster could possibly grow into a forced reaction that empties wallets and causes conflict, thus adding a significant amount of stress to a person’s life.

In order not to be overwhelmed by retail therapy, you might refer to the following tips.

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Whether you’re purchasing Christmas presents or buying groceries, having the items you need written down will provide you with clarity and order while you’re shopping. Reward yourself for sticking to your list and you’ll be more likely to commit to it: buy a cup of coffee while shopping or plan a. fun activity for when you return home.

·Think about what you struggle with most financially.

Do you spend too much money at the mall? Eating out? Vacations?     4     For example, if you spend too much money on dining out on the weekends, stock your cupboard with groceries on Friday so you’ll be more likely to stay in and cook.

·Give up the need to keep up with your neighbors, co-workers, and friends.

Everyone’s financial situation is different and it’s dependent upon a variety of factors, least of all being one’s self worth.    5     Appreciate what you currently have by practicing gratitude.

4 . Small talks are the short conversations we have at parties, at family events or at work. These small talks can open doors that lead to larger, more meaningful conversations.     1    . Here are some tips for them to improve their small-talking ability.

Have some conversation starters ready. If you have seen a really good movie or have read a really good book, you can talk about that. You can also talk about something that both of you are interested in.     2    , it will be a very good conversation starter. Or you simply notice and comment on what’s going on around you. If you are at a party and a song comes on that you like or that reminds you of something, you can talk about that.

    3    . Nobody knows everything. So, if someone brings up something about which you know nothing, just tell them! This lets the other person become the teacher. They feel good about sharing their knowledge and you get to learn something. It’s a win-win situation.

Ask open-ended questions.     4    . If you ask questions that need more details to answer, the conversation will go on longer. For example, if you are at a summer pool party, don’t ask a person if they like summer.     5    .

7 . Communication Tips

Here are some suggestions about making your talk with your parents turn out for the best.

Be honest.

If you’re always honest, your parents will be likely to believe what you say. If you sometimes hide the truth, parents will have a harder time to believe what you tell them.    1    

Be brave and start talking.

It’s easy to say “Hi, Mum” or “Dad, can you pass the potatoes?”     2       Let’s face it. You will feel embarrassed (尴尬的)when talking about something personal, but your parents know you quite well. They were your age once, too! So don’t let a little embarrassment stop you. It’s OK to go ahead and share what’s on your mind.

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If you have a disagreement, can you consider things from your parents’ points of view? If you can, telling your parents you understand their views and feelings helps them be willing to understand yours, too.

Try not to argue.

Using a friendly and respectful tone makes your parents more likely to listen to you and take what you say seriously.     4    

What if it doesn’t work? If you still can’t talk to your parents, seek other adults’ help.    5     Then follow all the tips above to make you communicate with that person well.

8 . Creativity is all about finding new ways of solving problems. If you’ve ever wanted to increase your creativity, these tips can help.

The first step to increase creativity is to devote yourself to developing your creative abilities. Do not put off your efforts.     1     For example, if you are interested in painting, schedule time regularly to learn and practice your skills.

    2     By having a rich understanding of the topic, you will be better able to think of innovative solutions to problems.

The next time you meet a problem, try looking for a variety of solutions. Instead of simply going with the first idea you have, take the time to think of other possible ways to solve the problem.     3    

When it comes to building your creative skills, you must be willing to take risks to improve your abilities.     4    , you will still be improving your creative talents and building skills that will serve you well in the future. For example, sharing your work in a creative writing course might feel frightening, but the comments you receive from classmates and teachers can be valuable.

Never expect creativity to just happen. Look for new sources of inspiration that will give you fresh ideas and motivate you to get unique answers to questions. Read a book, visit a museum, listen to your favorite music or engage in a lively debate with a friend.

9 . Four Practical Ways to Improve Yourself

Are you someone who likes to grow? Do you constantly seek to improve yourself and become better? Here are some ways to self-improve.

1. Read a book every day.     1     The more books you read, the more wisdom you expose yourself to.What are some books you can start reading to enrich yourself? Some books are very useful, such as Think and Grow Rich, Who Moved My Cheese, 7 Habits.

2. Pick up a new hobby. Beyond just your usual favorite hobbies, is there something new you can pick up?     2     Your new hobby can also be a recreational hobby. Learning something new requires you to stretch yourself in different aspects, whether physically, mentally or emotionally.

3.     3     Everyone has amazing qualities in them. It’s up to how we want to tap into them.With all the friends surrounding you, you can find many things you can learn from them. Try thinking of several good friends right now.Think about just one quality they have which you want to adopt.

4. Show kindness to people around you.    4     In fact, most of us don’t show enough kindness to people around us. Being kind helps us to cultivate other qualities such as compassion, patience, and love. Now start showing more kindness to the people around you, and see how they react.    5     Chances are you will feel even better than yourself.

10 . Establishing a strong professional image helps individuals maintain positive workplace relationships and present themselves appropriately. Being mindful of how you speak and behave around others is important.     1    

You can use certain verbal (言语的) and nonverbal techniques to interact with others.     2     It will help you convey your purpose and accurate information, which others may appreciate if you work on a project together. Depending on your comfort level, it may be helpful to sustain (保持) some eye contact and monitor the volume of your voice.

    3     Even if your personal accounts aren’t publicly viewable, it’s good practice to assume that others can still view and share anything you post on social media. As such, think about how your posts do or don’t match the professional image you’re cultivating at work.

Arrive on time when attending meetings, presentations or other events.     4     It often shows respect for your colleagues and their responsibilities. To increase your chances of starting an event on time, it may be helpful to prepare your materials beforehand.

Emotional intelligence involves the ability to perceive the moods of others.     5     To enhance your professional image, it may be helpful to learn the priorities and motivations of others. Employers and colleagues often appreciate an individual who can respond to emotions productively.